Tegra Systems
Behind every small label on a jar of beans in the supermarket lies a whole story. And Tegra Systems in Andijk plays an important role in that. The company is a supplier, importer, and manufacturer of industrial weighing and labeling equipment. “Customization is the key word,” explains co-owner Herman van Teeffelen. “Every company has different challenges, and with our 35 years of experience we provide a suitable solution.”
Tegra Systems was founded in 2003 by former colleagues Herman van Teeffelen and Mischa de Graaff. “The company we worked for specialized in scales. At a certain point, the focus shifted more toward retail, which created a gap in the industrial market.” The two seized this opportunity, and Tegra Systems was born. “Initially, we took on the servicing of existing weighing systems in supermarkets. Together with three technicians, we installed them and handled maintenance and repairs. This was the stepping stone to the industrial branch,” Mischa explains.
Industry as the main pillar
Four years later, the entrepreneurial duo took their first steps into the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries with their weighing and labeling equipment. Today, Tegra Systems is a well-known name in this field. On a daily basis, they deliver customized solutions in the secondary sector, and they have also built strong name recognition in logistics as well as in agriculture and horticulture. The company is growing steadily - not only in terms of knowledge and customer base, but also in staff. For example, Herman’s son André joined the company in 2009, and there is now a full team of specialists supporting customers from design through to installation.
From butcher to pastry chef
André started out in the service department. “That way I got to know the machines and existing customers really well. Now I work in sales, manage various projects, and handle marketing. That suits me just fine! I like the variety in the work. On Monday I might be at a meat processor in Limburg, and on Thursday I have an appointment with a pastry chef in Den Helder,” he explains. Wherever André may be, his task is to provide each customer with the right advice and to think along with them about how existing machines can be used even more efficiently. “That’s why I personally visit our customers, because by listening you can offer the right solution. If I run into something, I often consult with Mischa. He’s the technical expert of the company, who always seems to have an ingenious solution.”
Smart software
Mischa is what you would call a self-taught expert. The co-owner of Tegra has taught himself everything when it comes to software. “In the past, measuring and labeling machines were often controlled by a cabinet full of wiring - very inconvenient and inefficient. That’s why we switched to PC-based control as quickly as possible, so we could start using smart software,” Mischa explains. This innovation not only works more smoothly for Tegra itself, but also benefits the customer. “If a device needs to be adjusted during operation, it can be done in no time. And if the government suddenly decides that a label must include a specific feature, we can adapt very quickly by changing something in the software. Easy for us and extremely convenient for our customers.”
The best solution for the customer
Changes to legislation occur regularly, especially in the meat processing industry. “You wouldn’t want to imagine a meat processor having to buy a new machine every time the law changes, or being shut down for two days because the control system is so complicated! We see it as our responsibility to find the best solution for the customer.” A good example of such a solution is a system that can trace all information throughout the meat processing chain. “This is called traceability. In the event of a recall, it allows customers to see exactly which batches need to be recalled. This saves a great deal of time, effort, and cost for the customer!”
Tegra Systems also provides customized solutions for complete sorting lines for products such as broccoli and pointed cabbage, Herman explains. “By deploying flexible weighing and labeling systems, customers in the agriculture and horticulture sector can sort by size, label by weight, manage inventory, and process orders at the push of a button. Here again, efficiency is the key word.”
Vision for the Future
Tegra Systems never stands still. The company continues to evolve alongside the industries it serves. “You can see this reflected in our machines. If you compare the equipment from 2003 with what we deliver today, the difference is like night and day. We keep innovating, and the specific questions from various customers ensure that we remain constantly alert. The more challenging the request, the more exciting it is to come up with a solution - and that solution always comes!” André concludes.
